Short Takes

More U.S. companies are paying signing bonuses to chief executive officers as firms find it harder to fill the top job, human resources consultant William M. Mercer Inc. found in a study.

A survey of proxy statements of 350 big companies this year found that, of firms that have their CEOs under contract, more than 35 percent gave the executive a signing bonus in cash or stock, said Mercer, a unit of Marsh & McLennan Cos.

That's up from 30 percent last year and 1999, and about 22 percent in 1998.

Mercer's Yale Tauber said the rising use of signing bonuses indicates that companies are forced to bid up prices by a ``tight market'' in which experienced, talented managers are in short supply.

At the same time, another consultant said, the bonuses reflect that the top job at a public company is a lightning rod during a recession and falling stock markets.

``Executives are just very much at risk right now for accepting the blame and becoming the scapegoat.''

Class Of 2001

Still Has The Spirit

Members of the college Class of 2001 don't seem to be letting Sept. 11 take the starch out of them, according to a Harris Interactive survey commissioned by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Milwaukee.

Nearly all (95 percent) of those surveyed between Oct. 11 and 22 feel sure that someday they will get to where they want to be in life.

Fewer than one in five report that the events of Sept. 11 had a major impact on their career plans (18 percent), planning for their financial future (17 percent) or job security (16 percent).

Last spring, 60 percent planned to immediately enter the work force upon graduation; today, 61 percent are currently employed (12 percent are unemployed, but looking for work; 25 percent are continuing their education).

Last spring, 63 percent believed it was very likely they would get a job in their chosen fields; today, 68 percent report they have jobs in their career field.